Our March 2023 veterans disability benefits statistics report analysis is here. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issues a monthly report tracking how many claims vets file for benefits. It includes all current disability, pension, and survivor’s claims that need VA ratings or approval for payment. If you’re a veteran, learn how the VA’s March claim numbers may impact you or your family.
March 2023 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Inventory Status
The March 2023 veterans disability benefits report lists all pending VA claims from the 30-day period since February. At the start of this month, the inventory held more than 766,000 applications for VA benefits:
- As of March 4, 2023: 766,549
- As of February 4, 2023: 742,149
- Difference: +24,400
- Daily churn: +1,220 claims
We’ve mentioned this before, but last year’s PACT Act added another 20 conditions now eligible for VA presumptive disability benefits. The VA’s PACT Act performance dashboard shows veterans filed 309,219 total PACT Act-related compensation claims since 8/10/2022. In addition, VA healthcare partners and clinics conducted nearly 2 million toxic exposure screenings. In fact, PACT Act conditions now make up a little more than 29% of VA claims filed.
Pro Tip: The PACT Act also extends VA benefits to survivors and eligible dependents of veterans diagnosed with newly qualifying conditions.
March 2023 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Backlog Status
The VA’s backlog includes any unprocessed claims more than 125 days old. Backlogged claims in the March 2023 veterans disability benefits statistics report rose slightly compared to February. However, they’re still just a little bit lower than we saw a year ago in March 2022:
- As of March 4, 2023: 199,898
- As of February 4, 2023: 197,353
- Difference: +2,545
- Daily churn: +127 claims added to the backlog
Based on current trends and projections, we expect to see backlogged claims go up for most of 2023. If you’re a veteran thinking about filing a claim, the sooner you do so, the better. Claim processing times will likely get longer throughout the year.
These vets make up most of the March 2023 veterans’ claims backlog by service era:
- 37% are Gulf War vets (August 1990 to September 10, 2001)
- 28% are Vietnam vets
- 24% are post-9/11 vets (i.e., those who served in Iraq or Afghanistan)
- 9% are peacetime era vets
- Less than 2% served in WWII, Korea, or another service era
You May Qualify for Free Expert Claim Help
We’ve noticed a disturbing trend with how the VA is handling benefit applications. The VA admits it made mistakes on 13% of claims vets filed during the past year. We don’t think any veteran should accept less than the full benefits they’re entitled to from honorable military service. Why not have a VA-accredited attorney in your area review your claim for free?
You can get answers to all your claim questions over the phone from someone who works directly with the VA.
Want free VA claim help or simply have questions about the process? Click the button below to sign up for a phone call from a local expert today:
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Lori Polemenakos is Director of Consumer Content and SEO strategist for LeadingResponse, a legal marketing company. An award-winning journalist, writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, she's produced articles for major brands such as Match.com, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Xfinity, Mail.com, and edited several published books. Since 2016, she's published hundreds of articles about Social Security disability, workers' compensation, veterans' benefits, personal injury, mass tort, auto accident claims, bankruptcy, employment law and other related legal issues.